Channel 4 is quietly calling time on list shows, which it has been running successfully for more than a decade on Saturday and Sunday nights on its main network and digital spin-off E4.

According to a senior programming source, Channel 4's new chief creative officer, Jay Hunt, who has been in her job for less than three months, has told colleagues that the programming genre, which usually relies on the findings of an online poll to rank subjects, has had its day.

"It is felt that they are popular but we can be doing bolder and different things rather than something which is fun but which some people feel can feel a little spurious," said the source.

Instead the money saved from airing clip shows will be ploughed back into original programming, particularly comedy.

Last year Channel 4 broadcast three list shows – 100 Greatest World Cup Moments, 100 Greatest Stand-Ups and 100 Greatest Toys. E4 also broadcast three, 50 Greatest Plastic Surgery Shockers, The Idiot Awards and How to Be Famous, alongside a handful of repeats.

However, this came despite claims in 2007 by Channel 4's then director of television and content, Kevin Lygo, that the broadcaster would be abandoning them. "I don't think we will be commissioning them any more," Lygo, who left last year to become managing director of ITV Studios, said at the time.

But while the format never quite went away, Channel 4 insist the end really is nigh for the list show except under very exceptional circumstances.

The broadcaster plans to keep Rude Tube, its occasional rundown of amusing or interesting internet clips presented by Alex Zane. And one list show waiting in the wings for a broadcast in April is 50 Worst Weddings, which will form part of its coverage of the royal wedding.

"The Jonathan Ross rundown of the nation's favourite toys did well last year and if Jonathan comes up with an exceptionally brilliant idea like that we may do it," added the Channel 4 source. "But the direction of travel is now very much not to do them any more."

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